Bahrami, Afsane, Farjami, Zahra, Ferns, Gordon A, Hanachi, Parichehr and Mobarhan, Majid Ghayour (2021) Evaluation of the knowledge regarding vitamin D, and sunscreen use of female adolescents in Iran. BMC Public Health, 21 (1). a2059 1-9. ISSN 1471-2458

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Abstract

Background
Vitamin D (Vit D) deficiency/insufficiency is an important risk factor for several chronic conditions. We aimed to evaluate the knowledge and behavior of female adolescents with respect to the association between sunlight exposure, sunscreen use, and Vit D status.

Methods
This cross-sectional survey was performed in northeastern Iran, among 940 female adolescents in January 2015. Each subject completed a questionnaire containing items about demographic characteristics, knowledge about Vit D and their use of sunscreen. Serum Vit D levels were measured using an electrochemiluminescence method and dietary intake of Vit D was assessed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS software. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results
Few of the participants were aware of the biological functions of Vit D (8.8%), the causes of Vit D deficiency (16.7%), and the sources of Vit D (9.3%). Less than half of the participants used sunscreen during the day. The serum levels of Vit D in subjects who used sunscreen were significantly lower than those who did not (p = 0.004). However, there was no significant association between their knowledge about Vit D and serum Vit D, or dietary intake of Vit D.

Conclusion
There appears to be a lack of coherence between lifestyle, behavior and knowledge that may affect the Vit D status of adolescent girls in northeastern Iran. This information provides a basis for developing public health planning (workshops or training at the college level) for the prevention of Vit D deficiency especially in adolescent girls.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Behavior, Diet, Knowledge, Sun-screening agents, Vitamin D, Adolescent, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Iran, Sunscreening Agents, United States, Vitamin D, Vitamin D Deficiency
Schools and Departments:	Brighton and Sussex Medical School > Division of Medical Education
SWORD Depositor:	Mx Elements Account
Depositing User:	Mx Elements Account
Date Deposited:	26 May 2022 10:54
Last Modified:	26 May 2022 11:00
URI:	http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/106109

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